My A-fib and Anxiety/mild depression....BETTER!!

11 years ago

This may sound rambling, but bear with me!

Since my first hospitalization in 8/07 for A-fib, I've slowly been getting more anxious & nervous about things. I've had mild forms of D/A for most of my adult life, but not for long periods. Never affected work, etc.

It helped knowing there was nothing wrong with my heart, and that the A-fib rhythm isn't a fatal one. Still, sometimes I'd get scared and feel funny about ambiguous things. Felt a little less like doing things at home, etc.

Until this summer....

My Cardiologist suggested seeing their Mental-Health professional. DW had thought this for some time! I resisted, with usual "I don't need any help" crap....

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!

Along with a common A/D Rx., my visits with her have helped SO MUCH! I enjoy the visits with her, and learning WHY I react to things has been a revelation.

I've gotten MANY more things done at home this year, a good-looking yard in a crappy/dry summer, clean/waxed/clay-barred/shiny cars, took out timbers from a failing garden & reseeded, etc......

When I compare myself to last year, it's like I'm a new person! I feel more at peace with stuff, etc..

I DON'T feel "drugged" in the least. It's like I'm not taking anything! I'm ME....just not as nervous & fearful, & with a better understanding of my health.

So-

If a loved one of yours...or YOU...are affected by something like this, seek some help. If I can admit this, ANYONE can. I now see what an IDIOT I was for not doing something years ago.

Hope this has helped someone?!?!?

Happier in Fargo-

Faron

Comments (38)

bestyears
11 years ago
Very happy for you Faron!
DLM2000-GW
11 years ago
That's really wonderful, Faron and a tribute to your cardiologist for seeing beyond his/her specific treatment for you. The right med(s)and a good therapist can do wonders but not without a patient who is willing to do the work. You obviously have done that so give yourself credit no matter how long it took - you weren't ready before. Welcome to the rest of your life!
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tinam61
11 years ago
Glad to hear you are doing well Faron. I've missed you around here!

tina
nancybee_2010
11 years ago
I'm happy that you're doing well too, Faron! Nice to hear from you.
teacats
11 years ago
I'm thrilled with your posting! :)

So wonderful that you've found a workable balance between your life-- and your health!

Well done! :)
sheesh
11 years ago
I am happy for you, Faron.

I wish I could report that my husband is no longer "an idiot" because I am pretty sure that, alas, he is. Like you, he has good reason to be worried about things, but lately he can't get past it. He sees everything as more doom.

It is mild, though, and he is usually ok, but utterly lacking in energy. He tells me that he is an old man all the time, then tells his doctors everything is great, couldn't be better. He's 72! I hoped the opening of college football would
have him back to normal but of course, his teams played poorly. And Friday night our son's team lost....

I think I may show him your post.
lynninnewmexico
11 years ago
Aww Faron, I'm so happy for you! So glad that you finally found the right balance in your life and got control of the A/D, which can be so debilitating. Good for all of us, too . . . we got our old Faron back!!!!!
Lynn :~)
neetsiepie
11 years ago
Good for you for taking that step! It took me years to get my DH to get on medication but it's made a world of difference for him. I joke that his pills keep me out of prison...if he didn't take them I'd kill him.

He wanted to start taking them, but I convinced him that they were actually helping with his heart disease risk, in that they helped to keep him calm, anxiety free, and make him more level headed so he takes care of all the other things he has to do for his health (like take his heart meds). After a friends husband died suddenly from a heart attack, he realized it I was right and he needed to take more proactive steps in managing his health, and taking his A/D meds is a big part.
mitchdesj
11 years ago
great news, glad for you !!!
francypants
11 years ago
I'm so happy for you, Faron! It seems to take men a bit longer to seek help for their problems. Must be a feeling, that, as men, they should remain stoic. Stiff upper lip and all.
blfenton
11 years ago
Do you think your heart issues made your depression worse? As if you were afraid to embrace life as much as you did before?

I'm asking because a friend of mine is experiencing some heart issues and she seems to be depressed - won't go for walks or coffee with any of us anymore. And when she is with us she just sits as the table not saying anything. I'm just wondering if there is a connection. What do you think.

And it's nice to see you back.
jterrilynn
11 years ago
Yes, like belfenton I would like to understand what you thought was the root of your depression. It's hard for me to say if my husband felt depression over his health as he was on so many drugs. I would like to understand from a mans perspective.
I'm so glad things are looking up for you!
allison0704
11 years ago
Glad you're feeling better, Faron. Sorry you've had to deal with any/all the problems.
Faron79
Original Author
11 years ago
Blf & JT-

That friend sure seems to fit all/some of the criteria for D/A! My A-fib isn't the cause of my D/A. The worry ABOUT IT at least WAS a partial cause though. Medically, they aren't even remotely related.

D/A can just start out of nowhere I've learned. Sometimes there's an underlying chemical imbalance, but not always. It can slowly sneak up on people, or start relatively quickly...maybe after unpleasant events, etc.

The E-P I saw yesterday said for people who have more persistent A-fib problems, that 1 hospitalization A YEAR is considered "in Good control"!! I've only had 3 in 5 years!!

But NOW I at least have a frame of reference for this condition...from knowledgeable people. That ALONE is reassuring!

Sleep quality can also have a hand in Cardiac/Mental health. I've got a mild Sleep-apnea issue, so a C-PAP machine helps. At my sleep-test in late '07, my O2 level was getting below 90%!

One neat fact from the Therapist was that many D/A-prone people tend to "Catastrophize" things & events. I guess I was doing that kind of thinking! It DOESN'T help anything, and just drags you down further.

She has helped me SO MUCH!

Faron
marlene_2007
11 years ago
Faron, it's wonderful you sought help. So many refuse to and end up suffering needlessly. And you were so lucky to get a good therapist! I am so happy for you.
PRO
Diane Smith at Walter E. Smithe Furniture
11 years ago
Glad you're doing well faron. I found your story so uplifting. Thank you!
cooperbailey
11 years ago
Wonderful news! all of us in our family have sought mental health help at some time or another. No shame in knowing how to help yourself enjoy life.
and no shame in taking the proper medication.Life is too short to struggle needlessly.
and I will sign off with one of my fav sayings, Better living through chemistry!
good for you.
Too bad the Vikes are gonna suck.....:)
hhireno
11 years ago
I'm very happy that you are feeling better, sought the assistance that worked for you, and that you are kind enough to report it here to help others who might benefit. Those low level anxiety problems can be so easy to ignore but you are proof positive that dealing with them is the right course.
blfenton
11 years ago
faron - thanks for taking the time to explain. That's a really good term "Catastrophize" that your therapist used and I'm wondering if that's what my friend is doing. I won't be able to help her but I can be an ear for her if necessary.
Faron79
Original Author
11 years ago
I've had a half-doz. visits with her.

Each time, she goes thru a 10 question quiz that seems to be kind of a "standard" among some Dr's. if A/D is an issue.

One question is-
"In the past 2 weeks, have you felt loss of interest in doing ordinary things...", or wording close to this.
The answers are:
0= Not at all
1= Several days
2= More than half the days
4= Almost every day.

Faron
texanjana
11 years ago
Thanks for sharing your experience, Faron. I got really depressed about 5 years ago to the point of not wanting to live anymore. An anti-depressant, therapy, and a support group have saved my life. I am glad that you are also feeling better. Some of us just need a little extra help sometimes!

Jana
Faron79
Original Author
11 years ago
Hey TX & Gang!

The quiz I mentioned was kinda surprising, when I saw my scores on a graph, which has tapered way off since late June of this year. Wish I could remember the "name" of the quiz...?!

TX-
I'm glad you found help too! Hope you're back in the light again for good?!?!?!

Coop-
I hope you can find a measure of "help" with your obviously deranged view of the NFL....;-)
How are "my" Goldens' doing!?

Faron
cooperbailey
11 years ago
faron, i need look no further than last years stats for my Ravens. perhaps there needs to be another category on that quiz? hmm??? JK. I personally know how hard it is to struggle back to the light, so I kid around alot.
and btw when we were tentatively planning a trip west with the "guys" your store would have been one of the stops. Cooper and Bailey would have come right in with us! unfortunately gas prices and finances nixed cross country trips.
Gosh, they are already 8 and 7, but they are well. and dont act old.
yeah def ask your doc about adding NFL to the quiz, she is probably a Vikes fan too and could use a reality check. :)
Faron79
Original Author
11 years ago
Hey Coop!

It would be a HOOT to see your Goldens' at the store!!!!
Lotsa people bring their dogs in to shop.

If they added an "NFL/Vikings" question to the quiz, AND were taking my B/P readings at the same time....I'd STILL be in a Hospital!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

;-)

Faron
User
11 years ago
faron, glad you are feeling better. Could you please get the name of the quiz ? My DS2 struggles with A/D and I would like to forward the quiz to him. At present he is exercising a LOT and going to AA but won't see a therapist..has been 2x and just doesn't see it as helping...but when he goes he likes it ...sigh. So if you have the quiz perhaps I can pass it along and at least answering the ? will give him some in sight. Congrats to you ! .c
cooperbailey
11 years ago
faron, we were gonna be bad and bring the pups in anyhoo! figure its better to beg forgiveness yada yada yada.:) maybe if finances and gas prices turn around.... :)
les917
11 years ago
Faron, I am so pleased for you that you are feeling so much better. I am also proud of you for tackling the problem. My husband had issues for years before he started on meds, and counseling.

For those interested in the depression quiz, I work for the largest medical group in one of the Chicago collar counties, and this is the standard one that they use in the Internal Med/Family Practice offices as an initial screening. It is called the PDQ-9 or the PHQ-9.

Here is a link that might be useful: PDQ-9
Faron79
Original Author
11 years ago
Les-

Yep, that's the one!
There's also another one, the GAD-7, that is used in our Sanford hospital system. Both of these quizzes are on the same page too.

Faron

Here is a link that might be useful: GAD Anxiety quiz...
User
11 years ago
Thank you les and faron..I appreciate the links. Certainly are to the point and clear. c
terezosa / terriks
11 years ago
YAY Faron! You have always been so supportive here that I'm happy that you are happier!
Faron79
Original Author
11 years ago
You guys are very nice!!!

I really hope this can convince others to take a step toward recovery. Maybe even help someone else to?!?!
It can often be easier than they think!
Just knowing you can often control how you react to...and view events, is a pretty powerful realization!

As I mentioned, my case wasn't even that bad!
It's just kinda embarrassing knowing I should've done something YEARS ago....

Faron
cooperbailey
11 years ago
dont be embarrassed, hindsight plays a big part in everyone's life. go forward. you are doing great!
graywings123
9 years ago
spam reported
ILoveRed
9 years ago
Thanks for sharing Faron.
jlj48
9 years ago
Thank you for sharing. You give everyone else courage!
violetwest
9 years ago
spam reported, so bumped this two year old thread. Wish we had a better system!
daisychain01
9 years ago
Faron, thank you so much for sharing. Like you, I had been mildly depressed and anxious over ridiculous things for the past couple of years. After trying every herbal/vitamin on the market, I finally spoke up at my last medical appointment and my doctor put me on low dose antidepressants. That combined with a change in work environments have made a world of difference.

My own attitude was similar to yours - not wanting to admit I needed help and too down to ask for help getting up. Hopefully, others will see this and take that first step.

I think it is pretty common having depression after a cardiac episode. I know my father in law had major problems after his and didn't seek help for years.

Well, some posts do well to be bumped even by spam (can there really be an upside to spam?) if it helps someone else in need.

This post was edited by daisychain01 on Tue, Sep 16, 14 at 19:37
peaceofmind
9 years ago
Didn't notice this was an old thread until someone mentioned it. I just wanted to say that therapy is paid for by medicare. I should have done it years ago but I thought I couldn't afford it. I've been seeing a therapist since May and it has made a world of difference.

My A-fib and Anxiety/mild depression....BETTER!!

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